PLACES-MY-SHIP-VISITED

Third Class Petty Officer January 1980

Join The Navy, See The World and that's why I joined. I wanted to get away from home and do something worthwhile and I found it in the Navy.

I was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Spruance DD-963 for 3 years and 3 months during my 4 year enlistment and left as a Second Class Petty Officer. The Spruance was quick and fast with 4 gas-turbine-Jet engines. She sounded like a big Jumbo Jet when the turbines went all ahead full, especially if you were near the engine room where the sound and reverberation was the best. Powerful!

I was able to be the Helmsman many times during watches my first year. I was fortunate to get the chance to steer a Navy ship. Imagine being at the Helm steering a ship, a lot of responsibility. Right 5 degrees rudder come to course 140. The Ocean going cruises were great and crossing the Atlantic Ocean was adventurous! I threw a bottle over the side with a message half way across once. Now to the Ports I traveled to....